#bodygaurd!ashton

[talkfastromance4]

For Your Eyes Only– bodyguard!ashton [Chapter Ten]

Summary: Ashton Irwin is the head of security for Princess Alouette who is a kind, gentle young woman. Secretly pining for one another, those feelings will soon come to light as an occurrence will change Alouette’s life forever, and Ashton’s.

Word count: 1,307 (it’s smaller than the others but the last 2 chapters will be longer I promise!)

Warnings: mentions of injury, slight trauma

Author’s note: there are links to click on so you can see what they are, they are bolded 

donate to my ko-fi here :)

Masterlist

Chap. 1 || Chap. 2 || Chap. 3 || Chap. 4 || Chap. 5 || Chap. 6 || Chap. 7 || Chap. 8 || Chap. 9

The winter ball is always a grand spectacle in Chadria. It’s when Alouette opens her palace to her people so they can join her in celebrating the wintry season and Christmas. The palace is decked out with garlands of blue and silver, frosted wreaths and a splash of red blows scattered around. 

Christmas is Alouette’s favorite holiday so she makes sure there is plenty of food and perfectly wrapped presents for the children that come. 

Ashton made sure Calum has ordered the highest quality of walkthrough metal detectors that were equipped with x-ray. Ashton is on edge of having the palace opened to the public but Alouette is skirting around her home in such a cheerful manner, he doesn’t want to diminish her joy. 

So, he’ll stay on edge for both of them. 

“Everything’s going to be fine, man,” Michael assures him as they finish putting the last present under the tree. 

The DJ is still setting up behind the white table that looked like snow and icicles. He will be playing all of the Christmas classics and a bunch of Alouette’s favorites. 

“Our security is extra tight, the cameras are all working perfectly and Alou seems a lot more like herself,” Michael continues. 

“I can’t help but be anxious, Mike,” Ashton sighs. He scans the room and it looks like a beautiful winter wonderland that he knows Alouette will love. 

“I know, just . . . I don’t know, try to have fun tonight,” Michael says. “You need to go get ready, I’ll finish up here.”

“What do you mean get ready?”

“Go to your office and get ready,” Michael laughs pushing Ashton away, “trust me.”

•••••

Ashton waited patiently for Alouette to come inside the ballroom next to where all of her guests were. He’s wearing the new suit he found in his office, laid perfectly on his desk chair with a note from Alouette.

My gift for you,         Your Alouette

Ashton’s staring out at the snow falling lazily from the window when the door opens, he spins around just as Alouette slips in and he takes in her appearance as she runs into his arms. He lifts her off the ground, the skirt of her silver dress billows in the air. Her soft giggle is music in his ears.

Ashton sets her down then captures her lips in a kiss, then gives her two more. 

“You look exquisite,” he tells her, forehead on hers. He breathes her in.

“You look exceptionally handsome,” she smiles slipping her fingers under his lapels.

“I have you to thank for that,” he chuckles and tightens his hold on her waist. He touches her swan pendant gently.

“It’s all you, honey,” she sighs taking his hand in hers, “I just knew the green would bring out your eyes.”

They hold each other closely  as he dances in a small circle while Nat King Cole’s voice echoes distantly through the walls sings The Christmas Song. The soft piano and magical sounds of the violins were Alouette’s favorite part of the song.

While they sway in comfortable silence, Ashton can’t stop picturing dancing with her in a different setting, where she’s in a white dress and a ring on both their fingers. Ashton releases her waist then spins her away from him, loving the way her dress flies up, then pulls her close once more.

Her smile and quiet laughter fill the room and Ashton’s never been happier. 

When the song is over, Alouette exits the room first to return to the party. Ashton counts to twenty then follows after her. They blend back into the party without a hitch and Ashton keeps his eye on her as she moves about the room. 

Then, a loud bang and crash bursts through the happy holiday fair, Alouette screams and Ashton is by her side immediately. Before she crumples to the ground with her head in her hands, Ashton slides next to her catching her in his arms. He holds her tightly to his chest as she whimpers in fear. 

The music stops and it’s silent as her guests gather around their dear Princess, fear and worry expressed on their faces. 

“An ice sculpture fell,” Michael says from Ashton’s left. 

Ashton nods then helps Alouette stand to her feet, tears shining as they roll down her cheeks. “It’s all right, you’re all right. It was an ice sculpture,” he soothes wiping her tears. “Let’s get you upstairs.”

With quick glances to her guests, Ashton leads her from the ballroom to go upstairs to her bedroom. Once inside, as soon as the door clicks shut, Alouette breaks down against Ashton. He slides down on the floor cradling her in his arms. 

Her cries come out in choked sobs, her fingers clutching tightly to his jacket and Ashton just holds her. He kisses her hair, rubs her arms and whispers loving words about how she’s safe and nothing is going to harm her. 

“It b-brought me b-back to the . . . to that room,” she gasps. “They said horrible things to me to scare me . . . things they wanted to do . . . they joked about it. And-and they cut my dress whenever we moved. . . When I wouldn’t talk they burned me with th-their cigarettes. It wasn’t until I was tied up that they hit me and cut me . . . they laughed . . . .”

Ashton listens intently at the horrors she was relaying to him. He’s only asked once what happened and she pushed him away, now she’s opening up and he wants her to bear it all. If it will help her heal, he’ll listen for as long as she talks. 

“They’d kiss my cheek but that was it. I didn’t get why,” she sniffs, “one of them liked hurting me the most. He cut my back and pressed the knife to my throat a lot. . . I thought I was going to die.” 

She lifts her head up staring at Ashton. His eyes are wide while he listens to her. Alouette strokes his cheek, eyes memorizing his face even though she already knows every blemish, every faint freckle. 

“Then you came and saved me,” she whispers, fresh tears welling in her eyes. “I knew you’d come and I stayed alive for you.”

“Oh, sweetheart,” Ashton sighs holding her face as well. They’re a tangle of arms and hands on the floor, their love seeping out in every breath and blink of a lash. “I’d die before I ever gave up on you.”

“I love you so much, Ashton,” she says, voice full of emotion. 

“I love you, Alouette.”

And they’re kissing. Lips tasting like salt from her tears but their lips move in whispers finishing unspoken sentences that they already know. Ashton and Alouette have a bond formed that’s stronger than anything now.

•••••

Alouette knocks on the door to the monitor room, a place she’s visited on and off over the last few months when she’s searching for Ashton or looking for Michael. She left Ashton in her bed, slipping quietly from his loving embrace and pulled on her nightgown. 

She knocks gently on the door then opens it, she peers into the blue-black of the room and spots Michael sitting in the center of all the screens. 

“Oh, hey,” Michael greets setting down his mug of coffee. “Are you alright? Where’s Ashton?”

“In bed,” Alouette closes the door then moves next to Michael. She glances at the screens quickly then looks in his eyes behind the thick rimmed glasses he’s wearing. “Can I ask you a favor?”

“Sure.”

“Can I ask you a favor as my friend and not as the Princess?”

Michael stares at her. Her eyes are a little fearful as she waits for his response. 

“Y-yeah, yeah, of course,” he clears his throat nodding quickly. 

“I want to speak with the man you have captive.”

• • • •

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